Preview: Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2026 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

The Esplanade’s annual Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts returns from 27 February to 8 March 2026 with an expansive, story-rich programme inspired by Chinese dialects, dynasties and regional folklore. This 24th edition promises audiences a vibrant mix of theatre, dance, music and family-friendly works featuring celebrated artists from Singapore, the region and beyond. As the festival team notes, audiences can expect “legends told through … Continue reading Preview: Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2026 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

★★★★☆ Review: The Heart of Jun – Memories of Zhaojun by Siong Leng Musical Association

Theatre meets Nanyin to deliver a woefully beautiful tale of history and the distances we cross to forge better lives. Siong Leng Musical Association has always been innovative in their approach towards bringing traditional Nanyin music into contemporary times, and as a key part of Chinese culture, finds a perfect opportunity to take their artistry even further with the support of the Esplanade during the … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The Heart of Jun – Memories of Zhaojun by Siong Leng Musical Association

★★☆☆☆ Review: Last Luncheon by Le Jeu Studio

More mundane than absurd, this one-man meditation on grief winds up a head-scratcher of a commission that never commits to any one idea long enough to leave an impact. Presented as part of the Esplanade’s Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, Le Jeu Studio’s Last Luncheon, conceived, directed, and performed by veteran theatre practitioner Alvin Chiam, aims to be a meditative journey into solitude, grief, … Continue reading ★★☆☆☆ Review: Last Luncheon by Le Jeu Studio

★★★★☆ Review: Human Condition VIII by Greenray Theatre Company

Hearty family comedy-drama that strikes a chord with retirees and its discussion of existential issues. Taiwan’s Greenray Theatre Company presents Human Condition VIII as part of the Esplanade’s Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, and delivers a heartwarming, humorous, and at times bittersweet glimpse into the often-overlooked struggles of retirees. Written and directed by award-winning Taiwanese artist Wu Nien-Jen, this Singapore premiere brings the latest … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Human Condition VIII by Greenray Theatre Company

★★★☆☆ Review: Dance with Me by Frontier Danceland

Friendship secured by dancing through life, regardless of age. There’s never an age limit to dance, but certainly, what one can do with one body changes immensely as one ages. But as Frontier Danceland founder Low Mei Yoke and her friends prove, all it takes is a little compromise and continued effort to keep dancing, and through that process, hold on to steadfast friendships, in … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Dance with Me by Frontier Danceland

Huayi 2025: An Interview with award-winning writer-director Wu Nien-jen on the power of theatre in ‘Human Condition VIII’

Building a loyal following and domestic audience in Taiwan for over twenty years, Taiwanese artist Wu Nien-jen is finally bringing his beloved Human Condition theatre series to Singapore for the first time. Enjoyed by over half a million Taiwanese theatregoers since its inception in 2000, this year, the Esplanade’s Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts will be bringing its latest iteration to the Esplanade Theatre, … Continue reading Huayi 2025: An Interview with award-winning writer-director Wu Nien-jen on the power of theatre in ‘Human Condition VIII’

Huayi 2025: An Interview with Low Mei Yoke on dancing for life, and an invitation to ‘Dance with Me’

For Low Mei Yoke, dance has always been more than just movement—it’s a lifelong pursuit that has also been the glue keeping her closest friendships strong throughout the years. Now, with her latest show, Dance With Me, she’s inviting audiences into a deeply personal and heartfelt reunion, and to watch the power of friendship on display through dance and movement. Playing as part of the … Continue reading Huayi 2025: An Interview with Low Mei Yoke on dancing for life, and an invitation to ‘Dance with Me’

Preview: Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2025 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

2025 marks the year of the snake, often associated with ideas of transformation, renewal, and spiritual growth. And as with every Chinese New Year, the Esplanade is back with a brand new edition of the annual Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, with a line-up of Chinese works that appeal to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Now in its 23rd edition, Huayi will run … Continue reading Preview: Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2025 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

★★★☆☆ Review: Transplant 《移心》by The Finger Players and RUDRA

The family that sins together, stays together. In the Chinese classic anthology Liaozhai (Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio), the short stories often focused on portraying the social norms of the time through a supernatural lens. Even in modern interpretations of the text, it remains a key source of inspiration for social commentary and what it means to live, resulting in director/playwright Oliver Chong’s continued … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Transplant 《移心》by The Finger Players and RUDRA

★★★★☆ Review: Dance a Dance from My Body by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts Weiwuying

The beauty of diversity in motion. There is always something exciting about an artistic collaboration between two distinct groups of people, be they from different companies, mediums or even places of origin, as they discover points of connection and difference. In the case of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts Weiwuying co-production Dance a Dance From My Body, … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Dance a Dance from My Body by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts Weiwuying